PhD - update

I am now on the home stretch...well, almost. I have to submit on the 6th October so, having completed a second draft and had it commented on by both internal examiners, I am now working on the final draft with my supervisor - chapter by chapter. We are having weekly meetings and I am workign to quite strict deadlines. It seems my content is 'very well researched' and I don't need to add anything to my argument. The outstanding issues are structural. Also, it seems I need to 'be a bit more boring'! So, I am working on that...stating arguments, flagging up methodologies, being more obvious about my questions and using some less racey terminology.

The current title is:
Performing The Popular: The Context, Composition and Creation of Liverpool Music Hall.

So, that's the update. I am struggling to keep my dyslexic symptoms under control (my brain is under strict instructions to 'just keep going for 2 more months). But, this is of particular concern so please do continue to pray, send chocolate, pass on special good writing vibes, etc.

penguins

Not sure how I feel about this...super lamb bananas were bad enough but penguins might push us over the edge. Anyway, this is the press release for the penguin invasion of the city planned for the autumn/winter:

More than 100 six-foot birds will decorate the city centre in a public art event set to rival last year’s popular Go Superlambananas trail.

From mid-November, small groups of penguins will be on display for seven weeks in an effort to attract visitors and spread an eco-friendly message.

Artists are being invited to enter designs for the fibreglass penguins, with the winners chosen by businesses sponsoring the event for £3,000 a piece.

More than 50 schools have already signed up to adopt and decorate a 3ft penguin for £450 each.

They will be displayed in a city centre indoor venue and will be returned to the schools once the trail has finished.

Commissioned by Culture Liverpool, the event is being organised by Wild In Art, the team behind last year’s successful Go Superlambananas.

It is based around a story, written by former Culture Company vice-chairman Phil Redmond, in which a penguin called Patrick is rescued from the ocean by HMS Liverpool.

He said: “Penguins are cute and funny, and everywhere in popular culture.”

Designer Chris Wilkinson, who came up with the basic penguin shape in clay, said: “In the story, the penguins are from the Falklands, where there is a large range of different species, but we wanted these to be generic penguins.

“They are brought to Liverpool to see Patrick with the help of the Liver Birds. We wanted them to look young because Patrick is a teenager.”

Patrick, a rockhopper penguin with distinctive yellow eyebrows, will make his debut as a cartoon character before he is revealed to the public.

The initiative is a highlight of A Winter’s Trail, which runs from November to January

It will see a series of special penguin-themed events take place across the city, with the support of many of Liverpool’s cultural organisations.

Liverpool Council leader Warren Bradley said: “The Superlambananas were the icons of Capital of Culture and we hope Go Penguins will similarly capture the hearts and imaginations of everyone across the region this Christmas.

“Last year showed how cultural events can make a huge impact on the tourism economy.

“I am excited about the plans for the penguins. Everyone is pulling together to create a magical Christmas which will further cement Liverpool’s creative reputation and appeal to visitors.’’

The recyclable Go Penguins, produced by a firm in Kent, were inspired by Liverpool’s Year of the Environment.

The festive trail aims to raise awareness of climate change by reflecting on the melting of the ice caps in Antarctica.

Merchandising opportunities are also being looked at, with miniature versions of the penguins to go on sale later this year.

The deadline for artists’ designs is the end of August.

FURTHER details can be found at GO-PENGUINS.

I am all revd up!

So, it is all done. I am a reverend, living in vicarage. I got ordained on Sunday having spent 3 glorious days on ordination retreat (ordination retreat was blooming marvelous, met some fantastic people and really had a great start to my new life). Getting ordained was pretty good as well.

This picture is of the people who were on the ordination retreat - 19 people got ordained this week (15 in the cathedral on Sunday and the other 4 in their churches over the week). The picture was taken at Crosby beach - you might be able to make out one of the Crosby iron men wearing a cassock in the background (we know how to have a laugh in the church of England you know...dressing up the public art in clergy garb!). The retreat took place very near by Crosby beach (not that I left the house much) and this picture was taken for the Church Times. I wonder if they'll use it?

The service itself was extremely moving and I found it affirming and empowering, and a bit awe inspiring. I am not sure that living up to that fanfare of a start will be very easy. Hey ho. I also found it very tiring and my bones have been aching ever since (probably the kneeling and special slow holy walking that was done!). Unfortunately I have to go to the mid-week healing service now so can't really tell you much more about the ordination or what's happened since. Well, not just now anyway!

I also have to tell you about my new blog. From now on I will be blogging on here - it is called diakonia and will track my year as a Church of England Deacon. I haven't put anything on there yet but I will announce the first posting as soon as it is up. see ya.

B-T-W the man with the yellow spade (bottom right) is David Parry the Diocesan Director of Ordinands! It's a hard job but someone's got to do it...

back in Bristol

So, here I am back in Bristol again. Having had a very profitable time researching but not really seen anyone except Barry and Andrea. It took me ages to get home but I guess that's what happens when you nationalize a rail service. The thing that did my head in most was that I tried to leave my luggage in left luggage at Lime Street Station, in order to do a bit of shopping, but I changed my mind when I realised it would cost me £12 - what are they thinking of? I mean why would you charge £12 for left luggage? It is mad! and this is the Capital of Culture...more like "capital of rip you off". So rather than stay around for an extra few hours I got an earlier train and got back here by tea time. Miss Liverpool already though. Hey ho.

Not much on for the next couple of days. Going to spend some time with Eva - see a film, do some light shopping, have tea and cake out, do some visiting etc etc. Normal mother and daughter stuff. I'll keep you posted.

liverpool

I am in Liverpool doing some work...I am leading an arts project in June with ZHO theatre. The project is about a building on Mill Street (the Park Palace) which used to be a music hall and a cinema. I am planning the project which will work with children in Mill Street looking at the history and trying to rebuild the theatre as it was in 1904 (by making a model of the theatre). WE will be telling stories, making backdrops, theatre bills, etc etc. The project will last a week and will culminate in an exhibition and presentation at the building.

Anyway, I am here to do some research and meet with the leaders and company. Today I have been in the Central library finding out what is available there. I like to use the stuff that is available in the public domain so that anyone can access it at anytime. There was a surprising amount to stuff there. Pictures, playbills, newspapers maps etc etc. So, plenty to go on. It was hard work though. Usually I like to do this sort of trawling slowly and methodically but seeing as I only had one day I had to rush at it and it is going to take a while to make sense of all the info I have found.

I think I have an idea for a story and a way into the drama. Just got to have a bit of a think. Not now though because my brain has stopped and I need some food. I think Andrea and I are going to find something to eat and see a film. Sorry that I haven't been in touch with anyone else. This flying visit has been very much focused on this project and I haven't had a chance to roam beyond it. Next time - and we will be back very very soon.

potting shed

Mark was looking out for some pictures for Paula for ZHO Theatre company and found some shots of my alter ego Maureen. She MC'd the Potting Shed cabaret on the Walk the Plank boat May 2006 (just aftre I had been to selection conference). These pictures are of Maureen singing Anarchy in the UK and reading from a book (!???).

Just in case you don't know about Walk the Plank here is a helpful video that will fill you in.

back in Bristol

Having had a very good few days in Liverpool we are now back in Bristol...and it is raining (again). Well, while we were in Liverpool we got a lot done. We went to our new house and had a useful meeting with the diocesan housing officer and I think things are now in hand - hopefully all the jobs that need doing will be done by the time we move in. Mark and I also had a good meeting with a friend of ours who is doing a big local history arts project from the Park Palace music hall/cinema building on Mill Street, Liverpool 8. I have been asked to be part of the project - running a week long music hall workshop from the building. I am very excited about the project and it will be a useful addition to my performance as research work in relation to my PhD. Even though this is a different music hall it is a contemporary of the Pavilion. I am hoping that the project will take place in June just after I get back but before I start my curacy. If not I will have to do the research, set up the project and then hand it over to someone else. Just have to hope it all comes together...

In keeping with the music hall theme I have chosen a clip of Count Arthur Strong doing a little act at the Music Hall Meltdown which happened last year. Enjoy.

liverpool

I am in Liverpool. Mark and I came up last night and we are staying at Bob and Sue's off Lark Lane. Eva is staying with Elise and Wayne back in Bristol so she doesn't miss any more school! Also, without Eva here we can get a few more bits and bobs done and not have to worry about her being bored and sad. Anyway, it has been quite nice to have a break away - just Mark and I away together. Today we went into town and wondered about a bit, we went to the Cathedral to see Claire Caddick who has just got a job as an education officer there. It was great to see her and despite her very loud clip clop shoes it was great to have a tour of her workplace and see all the backstage stuff. I really am very proud of her!!!

Tonight I am off for dinner with Andrea and Kate at The Maharajah South Indian Restaurant - my favourite place to eat in Liverpool. I have a meeting with the diocesan housing officer at the new house tomorrow. Later a meeting about a music hall project with an arts organization. Some dinner plans are emerging and it would be good to meet up with a few people...so watch this space.

jury service

I can;'t believe it but I have been called to jury service. The original date was slap bang in the middle of my exams and despite the fact that I told them I was moving to Liverpool and starting a new job in June they have given me a new date of 7th July! Seven days after I start my curacy! Really really very anoying.

I am appealing but the man on the phone wasn't hopeful at my chances of getting it moved again. Hey ho.

banksy

This image is a piece of graffiti by Banksy that has been painted onto a wall at the bottom of Park Street in Bristol, near the cathedral and county courts. The council wanted to remove it but a campaign by local graffiti activists successfully won a battle to keep it unsullied. I have some questions about this decision...who now is responsible for it's maintenance? Is it now a piece of public art? Is it's colour and texture to be preserved in the same way as say the Mona Lisa or the superlambbanana. Now I'm no critic but it seems to me that point of this defiant art is to disorientate and irritate as well as challenge perceptions about art, public and private spaces and ownership of the everyday. To preserve it seems the ultimate futile act and almost deludedly Peter Panesque. If I was Banksy or prepared to climb up a ladder I would be very tempted to spray paint over the image in an attempt to recover some sort of sense of reality. After all isn't it supposed to be temporary, fleeting and timebound?




Liverpool City Council have decided that the infamous house rat on the corner of Berry Street and Duke Street needs to be tidied up. The building is in serious decay so they have decided to half board up the building thus covering the bottom half of the graffiti. This is so the visitors to the city don't get upset about dereliction and decay (as if they haven't seen it before). Many of the unused houses, shops and other buildings have been boarded up and then the boards are painted over and made to look more pleasant. This attempt to Dress Liverpool is one of the most bazaar outworkings of the Capital of Culture plan.

The BBC is running a Banksy Diary which includes some interesting personal stories about the way his work has touched the lives of ordinary people (whatever!!!) and the way to spot a Banksy (as if authetification is the point either).

beatle in a box

We are back from Liverpool. It has been an interesting weekend - not without it's tensions but I had a great time. I think next time I need to go on my own and not try to do so much. Trying to juggle Mark and Eva's needs and mine, doing church stuff as well as trying to see everyone is quite hard and it feels that nobody got to do exactly what they wanted and we have come back feeling a bit frustrated and compromised. Having said that we did do so much it is hardly surprising that we are a bit fractious. We got to Bob and Sue's at about 8pm and I had driven most of the way so was tired but buzzing so we tried to find food on Lark Lane. It seems that the combination of the three of us, tiredness and excitement is too much and it ended in a row about food. So, we just fed Eva and got her to bed. Seeing Bob and Sue was great. Bob was very excited about his play and we had a great evening catching up. I spent Friday chilling in the morning, saw Kate who was lunching with Jo and Katie so we had a great chat. Eva went off with Kate to get Maddie from school, I went to see Henry (my new boss and vicar at St Peter's and St John's). We got lots sorted but it was tiring and I didn't leave enough time for a rest before the evening. It is so difficult to rest properly when you re away from home comforts.

I spent 2 hours desperately wanting to get to the Capital of Culture launch event early enough to get a good position to see things but got caught up in other plans and didn't get into town until 7.30pm by which time it was chocker. We had a pretty bad spec but it was nevertheless worth going as being part of such a big crowd is so exciting. I am not sure what I thought of the event itself. It was difficult to make sense of it as we couldn't hear (or see). Seeing Andy Del and Claire Caddick up on the roof with Ringo (who performed in a large perspex container on the roof) was great. I was made up for Andy who considers Ringo to be a hero and the best Beatle. You can see pictures of the event at the offical 08 flicker page.

Did you watch the Culture Show last night? It was an optimistic take on the plans for the year and a good review of the weekend's events.

After the launch we went to see Matt and Kate to find out how Eva was getting on with Maddie - they were having a great time so they had a sleep over and we stayed and chatted for a while until I fell asleep on the sofa and knew it was time to go home. After a good breakfast in Greendays with Kate, Andrea and Andy on Saturday we went into town quite early to have a stomp about and walk from Bold Street to the Dock. There is still so much work to be done in town to get it all spick and span. I am not sure it will be done this year. It was great to wonder about get some bits and bobs and just enjoy being in the city. We eventually made it to the Tate to see the Turner Prize exhibition. I was quite impressed by it, not least for the diversity and depth of the work. Eva loved it and had loads to say about what was going on. She and Andrea had a great time analyzing the work and commenting on it.

We had a little rest before going to see Bob's play at the Unity - if you get a chance to go and see it. The company is called Big Wow - on this week and then probably reprising for Edinburgh. Then I stayed up too late chatting with Chris, Bob, Sue, Andrea and Mark.

Got up for church - Eva and I managed to get it together to go to Christ Church on Linnet Lane (my sending church). It was great to see everyone again and catch up. It seems such a long time since I was there and it as great to see so many new faces as well as hear from old friends. The congregation is getting bigger, it seems like so many positive things have happened.

By the time I got back to Bob and Sue's I was ready to go home - the whole weekend had exhausted me and I felt emotionally pulled in two as I want to make the most of being at Trinity and finishing off work etc but I also just want to get to Liverpool and start my job. The tension I was feeling about my 'old' Liverpool life and the potential for the 'new' one was very hard for me and I found it almost impossible to get things in perspective as we left. We had lunch at Andrea's, which was very kind of her, but I was distracted, tired and to be honest just wanted to switch off and disappear. The journey back was tempestuous as Mark and I fell out over pop music, food and driving. I guess that is how things go sometimes feelings are so overwhelming that they spill out and can be counter to what really should be happening. We should be excited about the future but instead we are fighting against it and trying to make it far more threatening that it probably is.

After a weird night's sleep dreaming about Beatles in a box, big crowds, people shouting to me from far away and being very very small (Freud would have field day with my dreams) I have woken up with the task of writing an essay. It is Mark's birthday so a cake will be made and we will probably be friends again by tea-time.

off to liverpool

I am off to Liverpool very soon. I have to pack for everyone, make sandwiches, have a rest and get eva from school and mark from work then we will be off...ETA 8pm. Staying at Bob and Sue's which will be great though Bob is busy as he has a show on at the Unity theatre. We are seeing the show on Saturday night, Friday we are visiting the new parish, Eva's school and the shops, in the evening we are going to the People's Opening of the Capital of Culture. But it is going to be wet and horrid so I am sure we won't hang about. Sunday we will go to church then set off back to Bristol. Hopefully we will catch up with as many people as possible but there never seems enough time to settle. hey ho...we'll be back forever in a few months (5!!!)

nativity

Elise and I watched the Liverpool nativity again last night and found it very emotional experience the 2nd time around. There was something about the grounded way they told the story - with all it's impossibleness, confusion, pain and unlikely heroes. It is a challenge to keep telling this story in a way that refreshes us to not just what happened but more importantly why it happened. I think the Liverpool Nativity succeeded in reminding us why this story is still relevant:

God intervened in our world not so powerful people could get what they want but so those who are running scared, who have nowhere to stay, who are not welcome, who are living outside the comfort of society, they get a chance to get what they need. In Jesus we all have a small child full of hope. So, at Christmas we tell this story and remember that the baby Jesus was born in very humble circumstances, had a precarious start to life, was an asylum seeker - a refugee. But his birth was the start of new hope for the whole world.

But I wonder who is listening to this story? Do we like to keep Jesus wrapped up in swaddling clothes, a baby saviour is safer than one that grows up, heals people, challenges society and dies a bloody and shameful death as a common criminal. I wonder if some of us like the baby Jesus more than the grown up one?

I have been sent a few other nativity scenes this year. Each reminding us of other aspects of this story and the twenty first century applications.

The Glasgow Nativity














Walled Nativity, distributed by the Amos Trust - A nativity set with a difference - this year the wise men won't get to the stable.

Poignant, ironic and made in Bethlehem.
Apart from a small administration fee takings go to the manufacturers we work with in Bethlehem.










There has been quite a lot of blogging interest in these modern nativities - Cramner takes a political view; The Cartoon Church leaves it to others to have their say; John Davies has a local view; Steve B incorporates his own advent meditations into his response.

I took part in St Peter's carol service yesterday and despite some family irritations (can't be bothered to even raise them again here) we had a lovely Sunday as the family gathered to watch films, eat and chill out. Mark is at the Amnesty bookshop doing his last volunteer of the year, I am in bed, Mum is making angels with Eva and Elise is watching tv. All is well in the Loudon house. Our own imperfect nativity is set.

t'internet

Cheers! (not sure about this photo - I hadn't even had a drink and I have boss eyes, my hair is also flat. Hey ho)





Had a low tech weekend because the internet broke down at our house. So, I couldn't email or blog. It was very strange but liberating.

Anyway, I had a great party on Friday - as you know, because you were there...weren't you? - I haven't been up that late for ages and I danced and danced until my feet swelled up and my back ached (actually that didn't happen until the next day). I ate too much cake. I still have one more cake to eat - let me know if you'd like a piece - but it's shop bought!!! It was great to see so many people from out of town and witness Foundation, Trinity and Liverpool people mixing. I think we did very well.

Saturday was a very chilled out recovery day - Andrea and I spent most of it (when we eventually got up) on the sofas putting the world to rights. Sunday was back to normal(ish) with preaching teams in the evening (Geoff's turn at St Mary's Shirehampton). He was very good.

So, that was the edited version of the weekend. The full version is available in person.

Today is back to normal. I have some chores to do, a lot of reading to get through and the next edition of Wholly Trinity to publish. So, I'd best be off.

Ken Dodd

I have been looking at youtube videos and found this from the I am Here local history project in Liverpool. This one is great but there are so many more that it is well worth taking a look at them. Enjoy this Ken Dodd story Told by May.

ken dodd on songs of praise

I don't usually watch Songs of Praise but tonight was an exception. The thought of seeing the Bishop of Liverpool and Ken Dodd on the same show, in the same room and nearly on the same couch was enough to keep me tuned in. I can tell you that it was one of the most entertaining TV shows I have seen for quite some time (Strictly Come Dancing apart). It was a tribute to Ken on his 80th birthday. Ken was on top form (so was the Bishop) and he sang two songs (Ken not the Bishop) - the Footprints songs which was filmed on Formby Beach with the sea out (so no sea to been seen) and Happiness accompanied by a gospel choir and assorted children from the Cathedral Choir. It was one of the most extra-ordinary things I have ever seen on the BBC. If you missed it you really should try to watch it on catch up. If anyone records it could I have a copy.

I have tried to look for a recording of the show on youtube but there really isn't very much Doddy stuff on there at all. This is the best I could do. Here is Ken with Dickie Mint...

curacy

This is St Peter's Church, Everton











This is the vicarage where we will be living (current curate is standing at her front door!)















This is St John Chrysostom Church, Everton











While we were in Liverpool we confirmed a number things and spent some time meeting people from the churches where I am going to be curate next year. You may well have picked up that the curacy was sorted in August but as these things are complicated and the system of confirmation of posts is such that it has been tricky to officially let you know about it. But, I think it is safe to let the cat out of the bag now. We are very excited about he prospect of being back in Liverpool and living in Everton - we have not ever lived in this part of town and in this sort of environment. But we relish the thought of being there and are looking forward to it. My new boss (the Vicar) is Henry Corbett is great. He and his wife Jane have been very supportive and helpful. The fact that they care so much about the community, Everton and social justice is impressive.

So, more of the bits of this plan come together over the last few days - sorting out a school for Eva - St Margaret's C of E school, Everton, meeting local people as Henry's future colleague and thinking about moving into the house that Debbie currently lives in. It seems a long way away but also frighteningly imminent. I am still here doing this training but I am also getting ready to be somewhere else. It is a tricky situation to be in and one that I must keep clear headed about. Make the most of opportunities here and not lose focus of what I am doing in the here and now.

...talking of which I feel I have jet lag (and Liverpool is only 250miles away) - we got in at 1am this morning and I have been getting my head round the trip all day. I am a bit fuzzy in the head and need to get to bed - if only to stop this day and get ready for the next one! Tomorrow will begin with a new focus on getting down to working hard on Trinity College matters and enjoying the moment.

liverpool

I have and a few very busy days in Liverpool sorting stuff out, meeting people and trying to not get too homesick. We got here on Sunday and decided to stay with Andrea because Paula has very kindly given us her flat. Monday was spent with Sara talking about my PhD. I think we sorted a few things out and although there is still lots of work to do on the draft we agreed that I was in a good position to submit ahead of the new revised schedule. Monday evening we had a great dinner at Bob and Sue's house and Andy Del' came over so it was good to see all of them and have a chat. Today I have been to Everton to check out some stuff about the curacy and go to a few community meetings. I also checked out a school for Eva - it is very promising. Tomorrow we are all going back and Eva can meet her potential new teacher. I am at Matt and Kate's house now - the kids have got back from trampolining and I hope Eva is worn out and can get an early night. I don't know what we are going to do next. Food, chat and bed I suspect. Mark is at a dress rehearsal for the lantern festival so I need to find him and probably get him warmed up and dried out. It is all go here I tell you.

I might well not get to blog until Thursday...hope you can wait till then for more news?

matthew street festival

...what a mess.
when I was in Liverpool at the weekend the news broke that the Matthew Street Festival might not go ahead this year. A serious blunder for the culture company which from we are just now doesn't seem to bode well for next year's capital of culture events. I know there has been much debate about how things are going re:CC and the city might be starting to look quite a different place. But as you travel out of the city centre it doesn't feel like everyone is getting a fair bite of the re-development apple. Of course it is easy to be critical (particularly if you are living half way across the country and are only visiting) but I really hope my worst fears prove wrong. There are still a lot of buildings to get up, infer-structure to secure and given the Matthew Street Festival problems health and Safety issues to resolve.

It looks like the festival will be saved by the intervention of Council leader Warren Bradley but whatever happens the unwelcome press reports have certainly tarnished the city's 800th birthday celebrations.

bath vs shower

I am back from Liverpool. Had a great time. Will report fully on curacy developments soon. Suffice to say we are very happy.




This is the Lido at Cirencester - great pool, rubbish showers (they do pot noodles and tea. Good chocolate selection and excellent floats to play with in the pool)









It is great to be home. We have been blessed with a great shower here. I much prefer a shower to a bath and last week (whilst staying in the yurt) I realised how much I love being clean - mainly because it as such an effort to boil water, carry it to the 'shower shed' then hand pump it through to get a slight trickle of luke warm water to wash with. It was so much effort for so little gain. In the end we went to the lido in Cirencester (which is great fun if you ever get the chance to visit) in order to have a shower. It cost 20p and was cool and ineffective. Anyway, I thought I would take this opportunity to list my top five showers:
1. the power shower at my Mum's flat in Virginia Water. Very powerful and invigorating.
2. the shower at my house. Once you get used to it it provides a hot, powerful hose down.
3. the shower at the hotel we stayed at in Florence. Aesthetically pleasing, like showering in the rain.
4. Phil Jackson's shower cubicle. Very clean and he always has good products.
5. The shower in our old house on Thornycroft Road. It took so long to sort out but it was great.

Showers to avoid:
1. the self generating one at the yurt camp. Stupid and ineffective.
2. the shower at the Lido Cirencester. Cold and cost 20p.
3. the shower in the middle bathroom at the Grange. Never quite felt comfortable.
4. the shower in Carter J corridor. Too small and like a plastic telephone box. Weird
5. the shower at the B&B in Belfast. Small, no ventilation and no shelf for bottles etc.